WEBVTT GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE. TO THAT LIST. REPORTER: WHEN VISITING SALEM, OUR ADVICE, DITCH THE CAR AND HOOF IT ON FOOT. ATTRACTIONS ARE EVERYWHERE, FROM THE SALEM WITCH MUSEUM, TO THE 1668 HOUSE OF GABLES, TO THE SLEW OF THE VENUES AIMED AT SCARING THE BEJESUS OUT OF YOUR CHILDREN. LOOKING FOR A STAYCATION? THE MERCHANT IS A BOUTIQUE INN DOWNTOWN. IT WAS BUILT IN 1884 FOR A MERCHANT, BACK WHEN IT WAS WATERFRONT, HE COULD KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON HIS SHIPS. THE MERCHANT HAS 11 ROOMS ON FOUR FLOORS. THERE ARE A LOT OF MIXING CRANNIES TO FIND PLACES TO READ OR PERU’S ANTIQUE RELICS. THE CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY OF THE INN KEEPERS IS TO BE AT THE READY WHEN GUESTS BECKON, BUT OTHERWISE, DO NOT HOVER. WANT TO SLEEP IN A ROOM WERE GEORGE WASHINGTON DID? SERIOUSLY. THE THEN NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT SPENT A NIGHT HERE IN 1789, HAVING ARRIVED IN SALEM FOR MEETINGS. ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE MERCHANT, A STRIKING NEW RESTAURANT OPENED IN THE SPACE FORMERLY A BANK FOR 200 YEARS, THE APTLY NAMED LEDGER. WHOSE BLUE OX RESTAURANT IN LYNN HAS A BIG FOLLOWING. IT INCORPORATES ALL KINDS OF REPURPOSED ARTIFACTS FROM WHAT WAS THE COUNTRY’S SECOND OLDEST CHARTERED SAVINGS BANK. >> THE ORIGINAL CEILING IS ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING. IT WOULD MAKE SENSE AS THE CENTERPIECE TO THE RESTAURANT. RIGHT WHEN YOU WALK IN, YOU LOOK UP. IT IS THAT MESMERIZING TO LOOK AT. REPORTER: THE LEDGER’S MENU BUILT AROUND COOKING EXTENSIVELY ON A WOOD FIRE, THE WAY THEY BET -- THE WAY THEY DID BACK IN SALEM’S BEGINNINGS. THE WE’RE NOT SURE IF THE FOREFATHERS DINED ON THIS, OR THIS PORK CHOP PRESENTATION. >> THE PORK CHOP IS SUPER POPULAR. WE GRILL IT OVER A WOOD FIRE. IT HAS A POTATOES, GRILLED BROCCOLI WITH LEMON JUICE, SOUR CREAM AND CHIVES, AND A LITTLE FENNEL SALAD. REPORTER: BEING A SEASONAL INGREDIENT-DRIVEN RESTAURANT, THE EXECUTIVE CHEF IS EXCITED ABOUT THE FIRST FARM CARROTS WITH COTTAGE CHEESE AND MAPLE SYRUP. AND THIS LOBSTER EXTRAVAGANZA FOR TWO OR THREE, DELIVERS SOME SERIOUS OOHS AND AAHS. >> WE ARE FEATURING A THREE POUND LOBSTER FROM A LOCAL FISHERMAN, GRILLING IT OVER A WOOD FIRE. WE USE THE ROE TO MAKE THE BETTER. YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR SIDES. WE ARE HERBS FOR MULTIPLE FARMS TO GARNISH. REPORTER: SALEM’S FOOD SCENE HAS EXPLODED IN RECENT YEARS, BUT LEDGER IS THE MOST AMBITIOUS RESTAURANT TO OPEN IN MEMORY. MATT O’NEILL SAID HE WANTED TO UP ANTI-, BUT ALSO SOW A CONNECTION BETWEEN SALEM’S RENAISSANCE NOW AND THE ONE OF ITS FOUNDING. >> WE ARE ALL HERE BECAUSE PEOPLE IN OUR ANCESTRY MADE A SACRIFICE TO COME TO THE NEW WORLD AND MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR FAMILIES. I DO NOT WANT TO FORGET THAT. MAYBE SPEAKING THROUGH FOOD AND HOSPITALITY, THIS GORGEOUS SPACE, WE COULD PAY HOMAGE TO THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US. SHAYNA: THE LARK HOTEL GROUP MUST REALLY LIKE SALEM BECAUSE LAST FALL THEY OPENED THEIR SECOND PROPERTY, THE HOTEL SALEM. ANTHONY: IT HAS FUNKY 1950’S AND 1960’S DECORATIONS. IT PAYS ON MARCH 2 THEM ALL THAT WAS THERE BEFORE. AND THE ONLY ROOFTOP BAR IN SALEM. SHAYNA: AT THE HEX HEADQUARTERS, THE TALK AND GET HARSH. >> THEY WILL SAY TO ME, I GOING TO CURSE MY HUSBAND. >> WHAT SHE

Stay where Washington slept and eat in a 200 year old bank in Salem

History meets modern times in Salem, MA.

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Updated: 7:55 PM EDT Aug 6, 2018

A boutique hotel with history, style and panache. Oh, and George Washington actually slept there.